Gamer’s Path is still in Manteca.
The gaming and hobby store is now at 1144 N. Main St. or in the former party room of the Bricks & Minifigs Lego store.
The group of Jason Messer – he’s the former superintendent of the Manteca Unified School District – along with Matthew and Kailin Montalvo purchased Gamer’s Path from the previous owner during the summer.
“We learned about the (downtown) place being up for sale on Facebook,” said Matthew Montalvo on Monday.
The owners of local Lego store acquired most of the inventory including the identity – Gamer’s Path had been at 230 W. Yosemite Ave. for about eight years.
Gamer’s Path, under the new owners, re-opened on Aug. 29. Bricks & Minifigs, due to the COVID-19 shelter-in-place orders, converted the unused space once reserved for birthday parties and other celebrations for the new business.
“It was already painted and decorated in the castle theme,” Montalvo said.
Gamer’s Path continues to specialize in fantasy tabletop role-playing games such as Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder, and Warhammer, to name a few.
“We are a family-owned small business focused on bringing the joy of games to the community – gamers of all ages, styles and skill level (are) welcome,” said Gamer’s Path on Facebook.
It was through Facebook and other social media outlets along with word of mouth came the news of the new location of Gamer’s Path.
It was through games that Matthew Montalvo connected with his family while growing up in Stockton. He’s a 2009 graduate of Lincoln High, where he met his future wife Kailin Messer in band class.
“I have an older brother who is eight years older. He got me into D&D,” Montalvo said.
He didn’t grow up playing video games. Instead, Montalvo and his family played board games. Monopoly, going all-out during the holidays until the last-man-standing was declared the winner.
One of his favorite board games as shared by his current family is Ticket to Ride.
Montalvo learned about the game via YouTube channel hosted by actor Wil Wheaton.
The board game for up to five people is a cross-country train adventure where players collect cards of various types of train cars that enables them to claim railroad routes while connecting to cities in various countries around the world.
Warhammer is another popular tabletop wargame for up to two or more players. A fun part, according to Montalvo, is painting the heroic miniature figures to match your army.
He believes there isn’t much difference between video games and board games. “It’s not much of a jump – you can still play games involving mystery, horror or suspense,” said Montalvo.
Nor is there much of a jump between game figures and Legos, he added.
“It’s all interchangeable,” Montalvo said.
Bricks & Minifigs opened on Nov. 3, 2018. A celebration was held last month to mark the anniversary of the family’s Concord Lego store and the one in Manteca.
For updates and information, call 209.629.8456 or log on to www.facebook.com/gamerspath.
